Thai boxer Luke gunning for UK number one Wootton

Burnley Thai boxer Luke Turner is gunning for UK number one Greg Wootton after inflicting a knockout blow on Rui Briceno.

The 25-year-old was on the receiving end of a contentious decision against the Prodigy two years ago at ‘Xplosion’ hosted by London’s O2 Arena.

But he’s determined to rectify the result after seeing Wootton’s highly-anticipated clash with Liam Harrison at the USN Bolton Arena fall through in June.

“It was a controversial decision,” said Turner, who trains out of Jai Muay Thai under Robin Shepherd.

“A lot of people thought I’d won and so did I.

“I definitely want the rematch and that’s what we’re working towards.”

Following disappointment in Japan where the World and European Thai Boxing champion lost a K1 encounter against ‘Krush’ supremo Hideaki Yamazaki at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall, Padiham’s Skin City tattoo studio owner hit back versus Portugal’s one-time WKA Pro-am 60kg Thai Boxing world champion Briceno.

Turner, who landed the European belt last year when obliterating Scandinavian foe Jonas Berglund in Leeds, who was treated with 27 stitches in the aftermath, dispatched Brisceno in the third round.

“It was just a professional A Class fight but it’s probably the best I’ve fought in years,” he said. “I’ve been doing a lot of strength and conditioning training at Intershape Gym in Colne with Simon Dawes and it’s made a difference.

“That’s the strongest I’ve ever felt. I knocked him out in the third round.

“I was just happy with my performance in general. My fitness was absolutely fine and my technique was good.

“After a bad loss in Japan I couldn’t be any happier with it.

“I didn’t do too well in Japan. I didn’t realise it was K1 until I got over there.

“That style doesn’t play to my strengths because it’s boxing with the odd low kick. My strengths are clinching, elbows and knees.”

Turner, crowned ISKA Thai Boxing king of the world when defeating seasoned fighter “Rung” at Leeds United’s Elland Road, added: “The rematch is our main goal.